Six months ago, Church Street market sellers noticed parking restrictions had been introduced, allowing only residents to park near the market between 8.30am and 10pm, Monday to Saturday.

Despite a 40-signature petition from traders, who said customers were being driven away because they could not park near the market, Westminster Council says the trial parking scheme will be made permanent.

Andrew White, who works on a fruit and vegetable stall in Church Street, said: "As soon as the restrictions were introduced our takings dropped noticeably, by as much as a few hundred pounds at the weekend.

"Parking, or lack of it, plays a huge part in our takings at the weekend especially. If our customers can't park, they won't come here to the market. It's as simple as that."

Shopkeeper Ali Farhat, of Jabal Amil Trading Limited (pictured), also noticed a drop in customers when the restrictions were brought in.

He said: "We used to have five full-time staff, but we've already had to cut that to two full-time and two part-time workers. I really don't think my business is going to survive much longer, and I'm sure I'm going to have to close down."

Kevin Goad, Westminster Council's assistant director of parking, said: "We have successfully worked with businesses in Church Street to dispel some of their original concerns over extended residents' parking hours and responded by providing a dedicated attendant to help them to manage issues such as customer parking, and loading and unloading.

"We have also made a commitment as part of our Civic Streets programme to make significant further investment in regenerating the area to boost trade and make it a more attractive destination for shoppers.

"Improvements currently being considered include improving the look of market stalls, resurfacing roads and pavements, providing new lighting and increasing paid for parking spaces."